COPE Health Scholars Practice Test

The focus on communication about pain in the HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) metrics is primarily linked to nurse communication. Effective communication by nurses plays a crucial role in assessing and addressing patients' pain levels. It involves actively listening to patients, understanding their pain experiences, and discussing pain management options. This direct interaction contributes to a patient's overall satisfaction with their care, highlighting the importance of clear and empathetic dialogue in the healing process. The other activities mentioned do not directly relate to the specific communication about pain. While physical therapy sessions contribute to a patient’s recovery and may involve discussions about pain, they are not primarily focused on pain communication as measured in HCAHPS. Nutrition guidelines and medication management also play essential roles in patient care but do not inherently focus on the communication aspect regarding pain, which is the central theme of this metric.